After what will undoubtedly go down as the worst six-month period of his professional career, Paolo Guerrero has had a pretty swell last three days.
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Having been told late last year that he was banned from taking his first and final chance to play for Peru at a World Cup — his country’s first appearance since 1982 — Guerrero was devastated.
On Thursday, the 34-year-old was cleared to play at the 2018 World Cup in Russia after a Swiss supreme court ruling put his controversial doping ban on hold.
We’re not crying, you’re crying. 😭
— COPA90 US (@Copa90US) May 31, 2018
Captain Paolo Guerrero has arrived at Peru National Team camp. Next stop, Russia.
🇵🇪 #FuerzaPaolo 🇵🇪 pic.twitter.com/ixz4XEoalI
On Sunday, Guerrero made his return to the field, dawning the red and white of Peru, and scored twice in a 3-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, taking the tally for his legendary international career to 35 goals.
Guererro could still be forced to complete what was originally a 14-month ban, but a Switzerland Federal Tribunal judge said Thursday the ban should not apply until Guerrero’s appeal is heard in full after the World Cup.
